Should I worry about ear congestion?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 40 year old male. I have been battling sinus problem, congestion and cough for about three weeks. Three weeks ago, I visited a clinic and I was given 500 mg Amox. I completed the cycle, but still had cough and drainage. So, I visited the clinic again, wherein I was given Decadron shot and was prescribed Afrin to be taken as needed, but not more than three days and Motrin. After the treatment, the cough reduced and drainage slowed down. Now, I am having pressure in the left ear, which I am assuming is fluid draining. I do not have fever. I am not taking any other medications and I do not have any other medical conditions. Should I be worried about my ear problem or is this just a part of the junk moving out? I had a chest x-ray and it was negative.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com. I have thoroughly gone through your case and can well understand your genuine health concerns. I want to assure you that, you do not have to worry as everything is going to be fine if proper care and treatment is opted. There is a passageway that is, a connection between our throat and the inner ear. That communication is named as eustachian tube. When throat infection lingers on, it may spread through the communication tube from the throat to the inner ear. The same has happened to you and you need not worry much. It is just an inflammation. If anti-inflammatory drugs do not work for you, then we may need to go to another course of antibiotics to get rid of ear infection. I suggest you to take Ibuprofen (do not take Motrin concomitantly) along with Loratadine continuously for five days for ear inflammation. Let me know after that how you are doing to proceed further. Also, hot fomentation will work great for you. Please consult your specialist doctor, discuss with him or her and take the medicine with consent. Avoid excessive coffee, beverages and energy drinks. Avoid cigarette and alcohol.